Brake blocks for road bike

[tobykenobi]

Relatively new to road biking (although have cycled for years) and I need to replace the pads on my Cannondale road bike. They came with some bog-standard Shimano ones which were a bit noisy and never that great. One of things I've noticed (I did a Sportive at the weekend) is that I descend a lot more cautiously than others and I think better brakes might help. (Was amused to read this thread, however, so I am not alone.)

Was planning on getting something like this Aztec. Should I consider other options?

 

[Erudin]

I like the standard Aztec Road System Brake Pads (£6 for 2 pairs off Ebay).

 

[John the Monkey]

Check whether your Cannondale's brakes have the same type of holder/cartridge - you may not need to buy the whole thing again.

I don't mind dual compound brakes like those (and I have Aztecs on my Brompton now) but prefer Fibrax X-Treme as a replacement cartridge.

It's also worth checking that the brakes are set up properly.

 

[Grant Fondo]

Dont Shimano come in different grades? 105 up are better quality..thing of the past tho with disc...its the future and it has converted a long time sceptic

 

[tobykenobi]

Thanks all. I think I'll give the Aztecs a go. I'll have to chuck the Shimano ones away, the bike was not top of the range (Sora stuff) and the brake pad is an all-in-one affair.

 

[Arjimlad]

Aztecs chewed up my first set of wheels very badly on my last bike, but the I still have the brake shoes & used Salmon Koolstop inserts instead which were much friendlier..

 

[jay clock]

These are amazing quality and value http://www.discobrakes.com/?s=0&t=2&c=52&p=283&tb=001 nice and soft, don't seem to pick up flecks of metal, and last well

 

[alecstilleyedye]

koolstop are excellent. black for summer and salmon or black/salmon combination for winter…

 

[night cycler]

koolstop are excellent. black for summer and salmon or black/salmon combination for winter…

I fitted Salmon Koolstop because the original blocks were chewing my rims. They brake really well and don't chew the rims. However, they really do screech even when the rims are clean. Even when braking at less than walking speed it's quite loud-enough to wake the neighbours when I come home late.. I wonder if the black Koolstops are any quieter. Anyone know?

 

[screenman]

I fitted Salmon Koolstop because the original blocks were chewing my rims. They brake really well and don't chew the rims. However, they really do screech even when the rims are clean. Even when braking at less than walking speed it's quite loud-enough to wake the neighbours when I come home late.. I wonder if the black Koolstops are any quieter. Anyone know?

Are they set up correctly, I only ask as I have never experienced this when using them.

 

[iluvmybike]

I like the Swissstop ones - black area good all rounder and don;t eat the rims as badly as some makes. Aztec are good but harsh on rims ime

 

[bpsmith]

Swissstop for me too. The best Carbon specific pad out there. I am also using the green pads on bike 2, which are significantly better than the stock Ultegra pads.

 

[slowmotion]

I was overwhelmingly underawed by Koolstop Salmons. At £18 for four small blocks of rubber, I think that somebody is extracting the urine. I have used Clark's pads for the last six years and I'm perfectly happy with them. My tyres/braking technique let me down way before my pads.

 

[night cycler]

Are they set up correctly, I only ask as I have never experienced this when using them.

The only thing I am aware of in respect of fitting them/setting up is that there are arrows on the side of the blocks to indicate the direction of wheel travel/rotation. Did you mean something else when you mentioned setting up? I cannot recall seeing anything else on the back of the packet. I`m keen to learn if I have over-looked anything?

 

[night cycler]

Swissstop for me too. The best Carbon specific pad out there. I am also using the green pads on bike 2, which are significantly better than the stock Ultegra pads.

Do Swissstop make blocks (as well as pads for the other systems)?